LONG TIME COMING

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By Andy Barrand

Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI

By Andy Barrand

Posted Mar. 2, 2013 at 9:00 AM

By Andy Barrand

Posted Mar. 2, 2013 at 9:00 AM

Hillsdale, Mich.

andy.barrand@hillsdale.net PITTSFORD — Twenty-one games into the season the Pittsford Girls’ Varsity Basketball team saved its best game of the year for when it counted the most. The Wildcats came ready to play Friday night as they faced off against Lenawee Christian in the Class D District 100 Championship game. The Wildcats opened up an early lead as they led 18-5 after eight minutes of action. The girls never looked back as they defeated Lenawee Christian 60-42 for the teams first district championship in 13 years. The last title came in 2000. “The girls came out ready to play,” first year coach Chris Hodos said. “This was a big win for us. I knew going into the tournament that we could win.” After taking the head coaching job this past summer, Hodos said he told Athletic Director T.G. Cook that the team would win at least 14 games after only winning 10 the year before. The team is now 16-5 on the season and will move on to the regional semi-final game Tuesday against Hillsdale Academy. In the two teams earlier meetings this year Hillsdale Academy has had the best of Pittsford winning by 20 points the first game and 10 the second. “If we come out and play like we did tonight we can play with anybody,” Hodos said. Hodos said he changed things up in practice Thursday after the team came out timid and nervous during it’s semi-final matchup with Camden-Frontier Wednesday night. Instead of the teams normal shooting drills at the end of practice Hodos got out the dodgeballs and let the girls play an old fashion game of dodgeball. “It must have worked,” he said with a grin on his face after the game. Lenawee Christian battled back in the game cutting the lead to 10 at halftime 27-17, but that’s as close as they got in the game. “I knew they would battle back,” Hodos said. “Coach Joe Long is a good friend of mine. He is a good coach.” The Wildcats were led by senior Laura Clark who scored a game high 17 points on the night. Freshman Laura Smith was the only other Wildcat in double figures with 13. Hodos complemented all of his players on the effort they put forth during the game. “Ashley (Culbert) had a good game with eight rebounds,” he said. “Kristin Belcher also had a good game with six assists, seven steals and only one turnover.” Belcher also added six points. In her fifth game on the varsity squad sophomore Emily Poling had three assists and two steals. After the game before the trophy presentation the Pittsford team joined Lenawee Christian in a prayer circle at halfcourt. After that each of the girls received a championship medal and the team was presented with the championship trophy. Lenawee Christian was led by seniors Courtney Borton and Nikki Schaefer with nine points each. Rounding out the scoring for Pittsford was Lyndsey Billington (9), Madison Ayers (8), Meghan Schrom (1), Morgan Dominique (2) and Ashley Culbert (4). Pittsford will play at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mendon High School.